Addressing over 50 business owners, bankers and community leaders Wednesday morning at the Forney Economic Development Corporation’s Eggs, Issues and Updates Breakfast, Forney ISD Director of Athletics Eli Melton asked for the community’s support in the development of a healthy, respectful rivalary between North Forney and Forney High School.

Melton, who has been studying nearby districts such as Rockwall that have added a second high school successfully, expressed concern that in addition to teaching the students and athletes at each school to support and respect each other, parents and the community must become involved and set a good example for the children of the community. Melton discussed Rockwall’s success in preventing any serious problems or negative behavior between Rockwall’s two high schools by instilling respect for one another into the athletes and holding events and presentations that athletes from both schools attended. However, such events are not inexpensive or simple to put on, so Melton asked business leaders to consider helping coordinate similar events in Forney.

Melton also shared the news that FISD has petitioned the UIL to allow North Forney to enter play as a 3A school and to field varsity teams in most every sport except football. As North Forney is opening with only freshmen and sophmores, the school would normally only field freshmen and/or junior varsity teams, but the coaches and athletic director have decided to start in varsity to allow the students to gain valuable experience. This would most likely place North Forney in a district with schools such as Kaufman, Crandall and others.

At this time, it is expected that Forney High will remain a 4A school after the opening of North Forney.